Author Topic: Cast Bullet for .25-20???  (Read 575 times)

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Offline Sakogun

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Cast Bullet for .25-20???
« on: January 25, 2004, 04:30:40 PM »
I have recently received a nice Sako bolt gun in .25-20.  I have several loads worked up for this rifle with jacketed bullets.  Accuracy is about MOA and that is all I want from this gun.  

I did pick up a few cast bullets at a gun show in Missoula, MT.  They are 85 gr FPGC.  I have patiently put the gas checks on a few of them and tested them at the range.  The GC bullets shot OK, but the non-GC bullets shot better.  I would like to have a cast load for this gun just to plink around and use on vermin at close ranges.    

Can anyone on the board tell me what they are using in their .25-20?  Since I haven’t jumped into the world of casting yet I would also be willing to buy a handful from anyone interested in selling.  I want to keep the weight in that 80 gr range.  

Thanks for any help in advance!

Sakogun

Offline Larry Gibson

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Re: Cast Bullet for .25-20???
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2004, 10:05:48 AM »
Sakogun

"Can anyone on the board tell me what they are using in their .25-20?  Since I haven’t jumped into the world of casting yet I would also be willing to buy a handful from anyone interested in selling.  I want to keep the weight in that 80 gr range.  

I have a Savage 25-20 bolt action with a Weaver 2.5X scope and use 257420 cast of lino or WWs hardened, sized .259 and lubed with Javelina.  I use Hornady GCs.  I also use small pistol primers, WSPs, same reasons as with the Hornet.  

With the 71 gr 257420's I use 10 gr of H4227 or 11 gr of AA5744for about 1830 fps and 1-1.5 MOA. For a midrange load, 4.5 gr of Unique with the same bullet runs 1550 fps but is not quite as accurate.

I also picked up a PB HP mould, 257283HP, which I cast using soft .22 range lead, around 80 gr if I remember right.  I shoot as cast lubing them with Lee's liquid alox.  Over 2.5 gr of Bullseye they run 1125 fps and go into 1" at 50 yards all day long.  A great little quirrel load.

Anyways, that's what I use.

Larry Gibson

Offline Blackhawk44

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Cast Bullet for .25-20???
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2004, 12:00:24 PM »
Before you start casting, contact both Meister Bullets and Custom Cast as both offer 65-85gr 25's very reasonably priced.  Try 4.5 Unique or 6-6.5gr Blue Dot with these and have fun.

Offline Leftoverdj

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Cast Bullet for .25-20???
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2004, 05:15:26 AM »
Larry got it about right. You aren't likely to do much better than Lyman 257420 and 5744 powder in the .25-20. I'm using SR primers and a 10.5 grain charge, but otherwise we got to the same place.

I've been laying off to try 680 powder, but we have had an especially nasty winter in Virginia and I have not yet tried it with cast. Works great with my tiny hoard of the long gone Speer 60 grain spire points.
It is the duty of the good citizen to love his country and hate his gubmint.

Offline Sky C.

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Cast Bullet for .25-20???
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2004, 01:28:10 PM »
Sakogun-

I recently worked up a couple CB loads for a Marlin 25-20.

Best recipes were:

75gr NEI FPGC / 7.7 grs. 2400 / WSP primer / 1750fps-SD 11

84gr Old West FPGC / 12.8grs. AA-2015BR / WSP primer / 1711fps-SD 14
(good accuracy but leaves a bit of unburnt powder)

WW alloy + 2%Sn, sized .258, Gray's #24 lube.  Hard bullets shot more consistantly than air cooled.

Both shot on the order of 1.75MOA from this levergun.

Best regards-

Sky C.